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1993 Lexus ES 300 Car Won't Idle

Tiny
USFCIRE
  • MEMBER
  • 1993 LEXUS ES 300
  • 6 CYL
  • FWD
  • AUTOMATIC
  • 160,000 MILES
Okay, so I have my car running just fine then all of a sudden I come into town from the highway and the engine dies as I come to a stop, actually, the RPMs tank before I even get close to the stop sign. I turn the key and it starts briefly and then dies again. I turn the key and as long as I keep my foot on the accelerator the car runs fine. I figured there might be an issue with the fuel filter so I put in some SeaFoam fuel system cleaner and that seemed to help a bit, but I changed the fuel filter just to be sure, and the old one was the original. I then had no problems for about a tank of gas and then the car dies again, this time I added some seafoam and some HEET, but neither has helped it idle. The car is driveable for now but I don't want to cause any more damage than I already have. I am at a loss here. Where should I start? The check engine light has been on since I have owned the car. There are no strange noises or smells and all the other components seem to be fine. Like I said so long as I keep my foot on the accelerator or the cruise control set, it stays on.
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Thursday, April 1st, 2010 AT 9:16 PM

7 Replies

Tiny
2CARPRO JACK
  • MECHANIC
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The Idle Air control valves on those cars are prone to gumming up and causing an no-idle condition.I have had some luck with removing them and decarboning the valve assembly with carb cleaner and a brush, I have even used asmall straight blade screwdriver to scrape the rotator valve clean.
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Sunday, April 4th, 2010 AT 9:30 AM
Tiny
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I read a little on your website and I saw that the IAC is suppose to be cleaned on these every 40K miles or so, but I doubt that has ever happened. I replaced the fuel filter first as my primary culprit, and when I did it was the original. I have purchased some make your own gasket material and all I need to replace the coolant that is suppose to be drained to remove the IAC valve. I also sprayed a small amount of carb cleaner into the IAC component through one of the air hose connections and the car idled fine for about 5 - 10 minutes, I was surprised. Now it intermittently will idle, but I am confident that the IAC is the culprit. I will be be de-coking the IAC on Thursday night and I will let you know how it turns out.

Eric
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Monday, April 5th, 2010 AT 9:07 PM
Tiny
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  • MECHANIC
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Pleae do. Thanks for using 2CarPros. Com
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Monday, April 5th, 2010 AT 10:39 PM
Tiny
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  • 30 POSTS
Completed the removal, cleaning, and reinstall of the IAC valve. When I got it out you could really tell that it had not been cleaned in some time, if ever. The valve was completely black and the valve was barely able to be manipulated. I used carb cleaner and the thing when from black and rough to shiny metal and smooth, best of all the valve seemed to move much more freely. Reinstalled the IAC valve and it started up and stayed idling for several minutes, as well as the entire drive home. I will monitor it for the next week and will write again if the problem comes back, but for now it appears that the repair has done the trick! Thanks for the advice!
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Thursday, April 8th, 2010 AT 10:12 PM
Tiny
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You are welcome and thanks for using 2CarPros. Com
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Friday, April 9th, 2010 AT 7:25 AM
Tiny
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So we took out the IACV and cleaned with carb cleaner, it worked great for the weekend (Friday - Sunday) drove it a little everyday, even did fine after a 2 hour drive today, but after it sat outside, for 8 hours I went to start it and the issue was back, it won't stay idling. Could it still be the IACV? Would putting some WD-40 or some kind of white grease help it from getting stuck or should I just try and find a replacement. New ones are like $300, but I can get a used one for less than $70. Any suggestions?
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Monday, April 12th, 2010 AT 7:42 PM
Tiny
2CARPRO JACK
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Sometimes they need to be replaced, cleaning just isnt enough. You can try a used one, but I would hate to install a used part and wind up right where you are now
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Tuesday, April 13th, 2010 AT 10:21 AM

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